Public open house regarding old munitions at two former Colorado Guard National Training Sites (05-11-12)

(Craig, CO) - A public open house will be held on Tuesday, May 22 from 5:00pm - 7:00pm at the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Little Snake Field offices at 455 Emerson Street in Craig to share information on a study of two former Colorado National Guard Training sites in Moffat County. The study will assess the presence, nature and extent of old military munitions that may be at the sites located on BLM land. In the past (1956-1978), the Sand Wash Artillery Range and the Craig Small Arms Range at Cedar Mountain were used for live-fire and practice munitions training by the Colorado Army National Guard. The public is invited to drop-by to learn more and to speak with staff of various agencies overseeing the study.

A Remedial Investigation and Feasibility Study is being done to assess the presence, nature and extent of old munitions on the sites, and to determine if the munitions pose a safety problem for people or for the environment (air and soil). If munitions are found, a Feasibility Study will determine how the munitions need to be removed or managed, and what safety precautions might be needed. Field investigations will begin this summer, involving helicopter fly-over surveys at the Sand Wash site, as well as on-the ground surveys at both locations.

The open house will provide further information on these activities, and the steps being taken to be sensitive to natural and cultural resources. Additionally, basic tips regarding the 3Rs of public safety (Recognize, Retreat and Report) relating to old military munitions will be shared. For more information, please contact Major Erick (Rick) Wells at 720-250-1391, or at erick.wells@us.army.mil.

The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2013, the BLM generated $4.7 billion in receipts from public lands.